Felix Nieto II

About

I am a senior engineer, inventor, and investor with over 37 years of professional experience across systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and executive management.

My career began at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 1976, designing data acquisition systems and speech synthesis hardware. From there I moved into defense electronics at RCA, building radar systems and electronic warfare platforms at Patrick Air Force Base and Fort Bliss. In 1992, I founded Nieto Engineering™ Inc. and spent the next 17 years leading programs for NSA, DARPA, NOAA, DoD, the Department of State, and other federal agencies — directing organizations of up to 50 personnel on projects ranging from $100K to $25M.

I have held senior engineering and leadership positions at Booz Allen Hamilton, MasterPeace Solutions, PAX Engineering, and Amazon Web Services. In the mid-1990s, I was featured on CNN, C-SPAN, and Chicago Channel 11 for my work in technology and security, and received the High Technology of the Year Award and Outstanding Service of the Year Award.

Today I run two companies: Nieto Engineering™ Inc. (est. 1992), building AI-powered tools for the automotive and business markets, and FNNP Investments LLC (est. 2015), developing AI-powered real estate technology. Between the two, we hold 9 patents pending, 23 trademarks, and 7 live AI-powered products.

Companies

Career Highlights

Core Expertise

Leadership and Training

Leadership is not just a title — it is a practice. I have invested consistently in developing leadership capability, both in myself and in the teams I lead.

• John Maxwell Leadership Training (2012) — Certified in Maxwell's leadership methodology
• Leadership / Team Building / Motivational Training — Continuous development across 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
• 22 years of executive management — Directing organizations up to 50 personnel across DoD, Intelligence Community, and commercial sectors
• 28 years of technical management — Leading cross-functional engineering teams from concept through deployment
• Mentorship — Consistently developing high-performing engineering teams, building technical capability across software, systems, and cyber disciplines
• Advanced Computer Defense Course (ACDC) — Delivered formal training and technical instruction at the division level

Awards and Media

• Featured on CNN, C-SPAN, and Chicago Ch 11 — National television appearances on technology and security topics (1995-1996)
• High Technology of the Year Award (1995)
• Outstanding Service of the Year Award (1994)
• WTAI Talk Radio 1560 AM — "Straight Talk On Computers" radio show host and speaker (1988)
• South Brevard Chamber of Commerce — Federal Affairs Chairman (1987)
• Featured in various security publications — Industry articles on physical and information security

Youth Leadership and Community Service

Developing the next generation of leaders is a core part of who I am. I have spent over 15 years investing in youth development through competitive drill teams, wilderness training, and leadership instruction.

• Pathfinder Youth Organization Director (2006-2019) — 1st Place Eagle Award recipient
• Drill Master and Honor Guard Instructor — Built competitive youth drill teams from the ground up
• 1st Place Basic Drill Team — National Competition, Oshkosh 2019
• 1st Place Basic Drill Team — National Competition, Gillette, WY 2023
• 1st Place Advanced Drill Team — National Competition, Oshkosh 2019
• 1st Place Advanced Drill Team — National Competition, Gillette, WY 2023
• 1st Place Honor Guard Team (2017-2019)
• Professional Leadership Trainer — Global Youth Organization
• Professional Leadership Instructor Trainer — Global Youth Organization
• Latin American Management Association — Board of Directors (2003-2008)

Community Service and Safety

• American Red Cross — Certified Instructor Trainer / Trainer / Instructor (2017-present)
• Red Cross First Responder Trainer/Instructor — First Aid / AED / CPR
• Certified Wilderness Survival Instructor
• Professional Presenter — Various government organizations and conferences
• Howard County Police Department — Basic Criminal Investigations Course (2003)
• Certified Fire/Life Safety Professional (2004)

Intellectual Property

Products

AI-powered SaaS products across real estate and automotive markets:

Education

• Bachelor of Science — Electrical Engineering, Computer Science
  University of Maryland, College of Engineering, 1983
• Security Systems Design — University of Maryland, 1983
• Electronic Warfare Systems, Radar Systems Design — George Washington University, 1985
• Strategic Management and Forecasting — University of Maryland, 1991

Certifications and Licenses

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate (2024)
• FAA Commercial Drone Pilot License (2023)
• FAA Recreational Drone Pilot License (2023)
• Maryland Home Improvement Contractor License (2023)
• Red Cross Certified Instructor Trainer/Trainer/Instructor (2017)
• Licensed Maryland Real Estate Agent (2016)
• John Maxwell Leadership Certification (2012)
• Advanced Network Vulnerabilities and Penetration Testing (2012)
• Advanced Exploitation Techniques (2012)
• Penetration Testing — Websites, Databases, Wired and Wireless Networks (2012)
• Advanced Reverse Engineering Methodologies (2011)
• GSM 1G/2G/2.5G/3G/3.5G/LTE Telecommunications (2009, 2011)
• SS7 and Telecommunication Protocols (2010, 2011)
• Reverse Engineering Methodologies (2009)
• Licensed Security Professional, State of Maryland (2005)
• Certified Fire/Life Safety Professional (2004)
• NSA Certified Risk Assessment Methodology (2003)
• Basic Criminal Investigations — Howard County PD (2003)
• Certified FSO/CSSO — Defense Security Service/NSA (1997/2000)
• Construction Management Certificate — Turner Construction (1994)
• Certified Wilderness Survival Instructor

Also a Licensed Realtor

Licensed Maryland real estate agent since 2016. I practice what I build — using the same AI tools I develop to serve my own real estate clients.

felixnietorealtor.com

Hobbies and Passions

I have been a motor head since my teens — tearing down engines in the garage, rebuilding them stronger, tuning carburetors by ear, painting cars in the driveway, building my own paint booth, and racing on weekends. I studied automotive technology in college alongside my engineering degree — engine rebuilding, performance tuning, restoration, and custom paint. I did it all old school, with hand tools and determination. That passion has never faded. From classic American muscle to BMW M cars, from jet skis to motorcycles, I eat and breathe mechanical things. The grease under my fingernails is what makes the engineering real.